Electric transmitter for use in automatic telegraphy



April 14, 1931.

F. G. CREED ET AL ELECTRIC TRANSMITTER FOR USE IN AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPHY Filed Aug. 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 14, 1931. F. G. CREED E+ AL 1,800,283

ELECTRIC TRANSMITTER FOR USE IN AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPHY Filed Aug. 16, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 14, 1931. G. CREED ET AL 1,300,283 ELECTRIC TRANSMITTER USE IN AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPHY Filed Aug. 16, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 14, 1931 ST S &

FFICE FREDERICK GEORGE CRLED AND REGINALD DENNIS SALMON, OF CROYDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE'ASSIGNMENTS, TO CREE]? 8r, COMPANY LIMITED, A COIVIPANY OF GREAT BRITAIN ELECTRIC TRANSMITTER FOR USE IN AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPHY Application filed August 18, 1826, Serial No. 129,440, and in Great Britain October 22, 1925.

This invention relates to continuously running electric transmitters for use in automatic telegraphy where tape is dealt with punched to accord with a multiple unit system and adapted to control printing or other receiving mechanisms, either of the start-stop, or continuously running, type.

The object or" the present invention is to improve and simplify the construction of apparatus of tne kind in which a single switch member is movable into and out oi engagement with but a single pair of contacts, and is controlled, as to position, successively in respect of each signal unit, the switch move ments being due to the motor operation 01 a series of cams acting in cyclic order upon levers the movements of which may or may not be transmitted to the switch in accordance with the condition of the tape presented to a series of peckers.

According to the present invention, the

cams act directly upon levers which directly control the movements of the single switch member and to which the peckers are pivoted. In this way, space is saved and it is possible to provide a transmitter possessing many of the advantages of the transmitter described in the specification of Letters Patent No. 1,632,274. 1

When intended to control start-stop printing mechanisms, one cam and member without any pecker is provided to cause the switch member to bear against one contact to produce the starting signal. Also, an interval of time is arranged between the operation of the last member carrying a pecker andthe starting member so as to leave the switch member on the opposite contact for a time sufiicient to send the stopping signal.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment of the invention,-Fig. 1 being a front elevation of the improved transmitter, Fig. 2 a rear elevation of the same with a part broken away and Figs. 3,4, and 5 are sections on the lines III-III, IVIV and V-V respectively of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the cam assemblage of the transmitter. Fig. 7 shows the cam assemblage to a larger scale and in axial section. Fig. 8 is an elevation at right angles thereto and Fig. 9 represents the set of cams prior to assembly.

As here shown, the transmitter is assumed to besuitable for use when a five unit system with start and stop signals is being dealt with making use for example of tape punched in accordance with the apparatus described in the specification of our co-pending application No. 129,441, filed Aug. 16, 1926.

Such transmitter comprises a support 1 for pair of terminals 2 and 3 for connection respectively to a positive and a negative source of current and between which is arranged a moveable switch member, conveniently in the form of a spring blade tbearing a double contact 5 adapted to engage the positive and negative contacts 2 and 3 alternately. This movable switch blade, which is to be connected to the telegraph line, is carried by an insulated rocking member 6 normally held by a spring 7 so that the negative contact 3 is engaged by the movable switch member 4, this being the condition corresponding to the stop signal. The rocking member (3 extends across the paths of a set of six levers 8 constituting the motion transmitting members before referred to, which are separately acted upon by springs 9 and hence urged towards a corresponding number of cams a, Z), 0, (Z, c, f (Fig. 9). The levers S of live of the cams, viz. a, Z), 0, (Z and e are associated with peckers 10 which mayadvantageously boot the kind dcscribcd in the earlier specification of the patent to F. G. Creed No. 1,632,274, already alluded to, the arrangement being such that if no obstruction is encountered by a pecker 10 at the tape, but not otherwise, the associated lever 8 can follow its cam and thus be permitted to act upon the rocking member 6 to move the switch blade 1 into engagement with the opposite contact 2.. The sixth lever 8 having no pecker, can 'always rise when permitted to do so by its associated cam The successive liberation of the levers 8 so. that they can move, except when obstructed by I their associated peckers 10, where employed, may be efiected by a set'of discs each havingia flat and constituting an edge cam. Each lever 8 is provided with a roller 8 which engages the associated cam. In the particular example, as already explained, siX such cam members are required, five, namely a, b, 0, (Z, 6, for the live levers 8 carrying peckers 10, and one, namely 7, for the starting current, and a subsidiary feature of the invention consists in a simple mode of constituting a multiple cam unit suitable for the purpose. Tothis end, six identical discs are employed, asshown in Figs. -6, 7 and 9 each having in addition to a flat 11 thereon, three circularly arranged holes 11. These discs can be assembled upon 'a sleeve 12, together withspacing washers 13, in six different angular posi tions withthe aid of a single positioning pin 14 adapted to'be received-by one of the holes 11 of each disc, three positions being obtainable by threading three-of the'discs viz, a, Z) fontheipin 14with'one face toremost,using diii'erent holes'an'd three further positions by reversing the-remainingdiscs 0, d, e and then threading them on as in the case-of the first three. The pin 14 may,-as shown be firmly fixed in a gear wheel 15 which forms part of or is attached-to the sleeve 12, the cam discs and spacers 13 being secured upon the sleeve by an outer ring or washer 16 fixed thereto, as by av-pin 17, or otherwise. The gear wheel 16, which isjprovided to enable a spindle, indicatedat 18, to be driven by othergearing such as pinion '19 on a'driving spindle 20 (Fig. may be employed also for operation of a device such as a stroboscope disc 21. Thefixing ofthe cam unit to the spindle l8 intended to drive it'may be effected by forming one end of the spindle '18 with an axially arranged screw threaded hole 22 (Fig. 7) and a longitudinal open end slot 22 such that a prolongation 17 of the pin 17 that linestheouter ring or washer 16 to the sleeve 12 may enter the saidslot, the retention being completed by insertion of a screw 23 in-the'hole 22. This forms a simple construction which will onable the spindle 18 with outer pinion 24 in gear with a toothed wheel 25 for eiiecting tape ieed, tobe passed through a bearing 26 ready to receive the cam unit which, when tired, in turn secures the spindle '18 in position. The upper end portions-of the peckers 10 are correctly positionedlaterally with rcgard'to the. tape, in the example shown, by means of grooves 26* formed in thetape feed Wheel spindle 27 against which the peckers are lightly held bymeansof springs 9.8. The grooves are arranged in two sets at opposite sidesof-the tape feed pins'29 and are of suitable depth-s.

The various parts, as in the case of the transmitter described in the said former specification No. 1,632,274 are assembled, as

far as,possible,ona carrier 30 to constitu e a transmitter unit, which can bodily be removed'l-aterallytrom a standard 31, in which it is normally supported, and from a block fixedto the standard andcarryingthree pairs of stationary electric spring contacts 33, and be replaced by another similar transmitter unit when this may be necessary. The

three pai of spring contacts 33 are respec tively connected to terminals 33 33 anc 33 (Figs. 2 and 5). The central pair o'fcontacts 33 is arranged as shown in Fig. 3, to make contact with a centrally arranged pin 34 connected to the movable spring contact blade 4 (Fig. 1-) through a conductor 35, stud 36 and the spring 7. The two outer pairs of spring contacts are arranged to make contact in a similar manner with pins, like 34, connected to the two stationary contacts 2 and 3 in Fig. 1.

Since the tape is moving continuously and the peckers 10 are operated successively, whilstthe holes are punched in a line across the tape transverse thereto, the peckers, as will be understood from Figs. 1 and 4 do not terminate in a line coincident with the said line of holes but in a line inclined thereto, so that by the time the last pecker is acted upon, it will be in register with the companion hole in the tape, this happening with all the pecl-ters in order proceeding from cam 64 to cam To maintain the transmitter at a constant SPE the motor used to drive it is provided with a suitable governor. This may be of the form described in our co-pending application Ser. No. 161,131, filed Jan. 14, 1927. y 7

lVhat we claim'is z- V 1. In a transmitter, a switch member, a series of levers each adapted to impart move- 3811i? directly to the switch member, motive means urging the levers to move in one direction and a series of identical, perforated and angularly disposed cams normally restraining movement of all the operating members'but acting incyclic-order to remove said restraint to movement and means for adjustably positioning-said perforated cams.

2.- In a transmitter, a switch member, a series of levers each adapted to impart movement directly-to the switch member, motive mcansurging the lever to-move in one direction, a serics'of identical,perforated and angularly'disposed cams normally restraining movement of all the operatinginembersbut acting in cyclic order toremove said restraint to movement, a positioningmember foradjustably positioning said cams, a series of peckers, pivoted to some of thclevers and a perforated tape cooperating with the pec-kers to determine which'of the operating levers freed in cyclic order, shall move to actuatethe switch member. I

, 3. Inatransmitter, a single movable switch member,asingle pair of stationary contacts, a-p'lurality of operatingmembers each adapted to impartmovement directly tothe switch member, means continually urging the switch operating'members-to move in-one direction, a series ottape controlled peckcrsassociated use with the operating members aforesaid and adapted to prevent movementof any pecker not momentarily registering with a tape perforation and power driven identical, perforated and angularly disposed cams, said cams being retained in their angular position by a positioning member and said cams normally restraining movement of all the operating members but acting to remove said restraint to movement in cyclic order.

4. In a transmitter, a single movable switch member, a single pair of stationary contacts, a plurality of operating levers each pivoted at one end and adapted at the other and free end to act directly upon and move the movable switch member from one stationary contact to the opposite stationary contact, a series of tape controlled pecker-s carried by the said levers and adapted to prevent movement of any of said levers not momentarily registering with a tape perforation, power driven, identical, perforated and angularly disposed cams arranged to bear directly against said levers between their pivoted and free ends and normally restraining movement of all the levers but acting in cyclic order to remove said restraint to movement and means for adjustably positioning said perforated cams.

5. In a transmitter, a movable switch member, a stationary contact, spring means tending normally to hold said movable switch member in engagement with said stationary contact, a second stationary contact, a series of spring controlled operating levers pivoted at one end thereof, a series of tape controlled peckers pivoted to said levers near their other and free ends, a rocking member connected to the movable switch member and extending across the paths of the free ends of said levers whereby movement of any one of the latter is transmitted direct to the said rocking memher and switch member so as to cause the switch member to engage the second contact ref rred to identical, perforated and angularly disposed cams, a positioning bar adapted to cooperate with said cams to adjustably position the same, said cams acting against said levers between their pivoted and freeends whereby said levers are, influenced in cyclic order and thus selectively rendered directly operative on said rocking member and movable switch member to suit individual signal units.

6. In telegraphic apparatus, a multiple cam unit comprising a plurality of identical discs each having a peripheral flat surface and, in addition, a set of circularly arranged holes parallel to the axis, a support therefor and a single positioning member immovable in relation to the support, adapted to be received by one hole of each disc aforesaid, some of the discs being arranged on the support and positioning member with one face foremost, using different holes in the discs,

and the number of positions thus obtainable being augmented by arranging the remaining discs in, the reverse order on the support and positioning member.

7., The combination with a multiple cam 6 unit for the purpose described andembodying a sleeve, of a spindle having at one end a co-axially arranged screw threaded hole and a longitudinal open ended slot, a projection within the sleeve adapted to enter said slot with relative endwise movement between. the cam unit and the spindle, and a headed screw adapted to be inserted in the said threaded hole after the cam unit is in position, the head being adapted to close the slot and re tain the parts against endways movement.

8. An electric transmitter suitable for deali ng with tape punched according to a multiple unit system, comprising, a single pair of stationary, positive and negative contacts, a single movable contact arranged to oscillate between said stationary contacts, a spring controlled member arranged normally to hold said movable contact against one of said stationary contacts, a set of spring controlled levers each adapted, when free to move, to act against said spring controlled member and cause the movable contact to engage the second stationary contact, a set of identical,

perforated angularly disposed rotary cams,

a positioning member adapted to cooperate with said cams to adjustablyposition the same, said cams directly engaging and adapted to release said spring controlled levers in cyclic order and thereby permit each lever in turn,if free to move, to actuate said spring controlled member and cause the movable contact to engage the said second stationary contact, a tape feed wheel adapted to feed punched tape through said transmitter, a pecker connected to each spring controlled lever except the first lever of the set thereof, each pecker being adapted to enter a correspoi'lding perforation in a punched tape brought opposite to it by said feed wheel and means. for supporting said'peckers laterally in a plane inclined to the direction of movement of perforated tape through the transmitter.

9. An electric transmitter suitable for dealing with tape punched according to amultiple unit system, comprising, a single pair of stationary positive and negative contacts, a single movable contact arranged to oscillate between said stationary contacts, a spring controlled member arranged normally to hold said movable contact against the negative stationary contact, a set of spring controlled levers each adapted, when free to move, to act. against said spring controlled member and cause the movable contact to engage the positive contact, a set of identical, perforated and angularly disposed rotary cams arranged in succession with relation to a positioning member and above the set of spring controlled levers, each canr directly engaging its companion lever andconsisting of a circular disc having a flat surface on part of its periphery, the cams being arranged so that the Flat surfaces thereon are angularly displaced so that they come in succession opposite the successive levers and permit the latter to move in succession in a direction to actuate said spring controlled member and cause the movable contact toleave the stationary negative contact and engage the positive contact, a tape feed Wheel adapted to feed tape punched according to a multiple unit code through said transmitter, a pecker connected to each of said spring controlled levers except the first one of the'set thereof, each pecker being adapted, under the action of its spring controlled lever, to enter a corresponding perforation in a punched tape brought opposite to it by said feed Wheel and means for supporting said-peckel's laterally in a vertical plane inclined to the direction of movement of punched tape through the transmitter.

10. In telegraphic transmitting apparatus,

the combination of a single pair of stationary positive and negative contacts a single movable contact normally held against one of said contacts, a set of levers each tending under theaction of a spring to move said movable contact against one of said contacts, identical, perforated and augularly disposed cams,- a positioning bar adapted to cooperate with said cams to adjustably position the same, said cams acting directly on said spring controlled levers to, free them successively for movement, and selecting means acting to restrain from movement a selected combination of said spring levers.

11. In telegraphic apparatus, a multiple cam unit comprising a plurality of identical cam discs each having a plurality of circularly arranged holes parallel to the axis, an axial support therefor and a single positioning member parallel to the support and adapted to be received by one of the holes in each disc.

12. Telegraphic apparatus for transmitting signals previously recorded as perforations in a tape, comprising horizontal levers pivoted at one end, peckers pivoted near the other ends of said levers, cam means acting directly on said levers intermediate the piv oted ends and the peckers to release said levers successively for movement, a switch member having one portion extending horizontally over all said levers at the ends nearest the said peckers and another'portion at an angle to the first mentioned portion but in substantially the same vertical plane and carrying a'movable contact member, and stationary positive and negative contacts between which said movable contact member is movable.

FREDERICK GEORGE CREED. REGINALD DENNIS SALMON. 

